Switch operating arrangement utilizing energy storage means



Feb. 16, 1965 H. FEHLING ETAL 3,170,051

SWITCH OPERATING ARRANGEMENT UTILIZING ENERGY STORAGE MEANS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I ll] I Ill/ l1 1 Fig.1 P

4 ENERGY sums:

, DEX/16E ((3) (F .a-J... I \l Heinz FeJzLLng Wievidz 3550Lc5'i jm emars Httornag Feb. 16, 1965 H. FEHLING ETAL SWITCH OPERATING ARRANGEMENT UTILIZING ENERGY STORAGE MEANS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HtLorneS United States Patent SWITCH OPERATING ARRANGEMENT UTILIZING ENERGY STORAGE MEANS Heinz Fehling, Einfeld, Neumunster, and Friedrich Eiisoldt, Neumunster, Germany, assignors to Licentia Patent-Verwaltnngs-G.m.b.H., Frankfurt am Main, Germany Filed Feb. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 174,%1 Claims priority, application Germany, Feb. 21, 1961,

L 38,253/2IC 1 Claim. (Cl. Mill-50) The present invention relates generally to the elec tric switch art, and, more particularly, to electric switch assemblies which are mounted in enclosed switch box installations.

In the type of electric switches which are mounted in enclosed switch boxfinstallations there is invariably a problem in actuating the switch through the door of the switch box. There is also a problem in mounting a switch position indicator on the outside wall thereof, especially in mounting it within the framework of a dummy connection diagram, i.e., a diagram printed on an exterior wall indicating the connections of a circuit and with the controls for the circuit being disposed in their proper position with respect to the diagram, for ease in operation of the installation. The problem is particularly diiiicult if the switches are to be withdrawable and if the switch position indicator is to provide an indication even with .the door open and the switches at least partially withdraw.

A main object of the presentinvention is to provide a switch-gear arrangement wherein unauthorized actuation of the switch is not readily possible, while the switch may beopened or switched off at any time.

'' Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch indicator which always provides a proper indication of the switch position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a switch box arrangement which may be very small.

. Still a further object of this invention is to provide a switchgear arrangement which eliminates a cause of accidents by eliminating projecting control knobs,

A still further object; of this invention is to provide .a switch-gear arrangement which may be easily inspected, will easily provide an indication of the operational positions of the switches, and provides a pleasing appearance to the switch box arrangement, especially to the front thereof.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a switch which may be readily withdrawn for test purposes and the like.

These objects and others ancillary thereto are .accomplished according to preferred embodiments of the invention wherein electric switch-gear is mounted in an enclosed switch box installation which is provided with means for biasing the switch to the open position. Each switch-gear or switcha-ssembly is provided with a switch operating shaft extending outwardly of the front side of the installation to provide a simple solution to the above-mentioned problems. The switch operating shaft is provided with two control knobs of different size and shape, with the larger one thereof being removable. The smaller control knob is constructed so that by using this knob only that torque, which is sufficient for opening the switch, for the purpose of switching the installation off, can be exerted. An energy storage device is provided and which is loaded or set when the switch is closed or turned on. This stored energy aids in opening the switch once a predetermined amount of torque has been exerted. Furthermore, the knob is designed so that it will act as a switch position indicator within the framework of .a dummy connection diagram.

The switch operating shaft extends outwardly through a front plate of the installation and the surface of this front plate surrounds the surface of the smaller operating knob on all sides. The door of the enclosing switch box is provided with an opening which is covered or filledout by the front plate. In the latter case, a switchgearmay be provided with a spindle drive for withdrawing the switch into the test position" wherein only the control lines are connected withthe switch. The removable larger controlv knob is then designed so that it may be coupled with a movable spindle of the spindle drive which passes through the front of the switch box, or is recessed and may be reached through a window or opening and is arranged so that the control knob may be used for turning the spindle.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon consideration of the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in'which:

FIGURE 1 is .a fragmentary sectional view of a switch. box installation illustrating a switch mounted therein. 7 I

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary front elevation view of a switchbox installation.

, FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional the small control knob.

FIGURE 4 is afront elevational view of the smaller controlknob.

. FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the removable larger control knob.

- FIGURE 6 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 1 butuillustrating an embodiment of a switch removing device. p

With more particular reference to the drawings, FIG- URE 1 illustrates a sectional view through a switch box I which is constructed of sheet steel and has builtin power switches or switch-gear 2 which are withdrawable. The switches are connected Withbus bars or collecting bars 4 by means of coupling members 3 arranged to permit withdrawl of the switch. For the sake of simplicity only one power switch section is illustrated. The switch box door 5 is provided with an opening 6 in the front thereof which is completely filled by the front plate '7 of the switch. The switch operating shaft extends through the front plate 7 and is provided with a small switch opening control knob 8 and a larger removable switch closing control knob 9, the latter only being indicated in dashed lines. Each switch 2 is provided with an energy storage means schematically indicated at 32 in FIGURE 1, and arranged to store energy when the switch is closed, for use to aid in opening the switch.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a portion of the front of the switch box with the control knob 9' removed and also View of shows the dummy connection diagram 10 which is pro- ,vided on the switch box doors 5. The control knob of .theswitch is disposed in one line of this diagram and thus the diagram indicates that a switch is positionedin this location, as well as indicating whether the switch is in the on or oil position. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the knob 8 indicates that'the switch is closed or switched on, whereas the open or switched off position is indicated in dashed lines.

Further details-of the control knob and shaft arrangement are illustrated in FIGURE 3. A hearing 12 is provided in the front plate 7 of the power switch and a sleeve or collar 13 is journalled therein. The switch operating shaft 11 is disposed within this collar 13, that is, it is disposed within bore 14 of collar 13, and shaft 11 and collar 13 rotate together. An operating lever 15 is provided on the inner end of collar 13. This lever 15 has a pin 16 which engages the switch mechanism.

A hexagonal sleeve 17 is fixedly connected with the collar 13 at the front end thereof and this sleeve 17 is a hexagon both on the exterior and on the interior surfaces thereof. The small control knob 8, for opening the switch, is arranged on the outer end of the hexagonal sleeve. As shown in FIGURE 4, the switching-off knob 8 is designed as a control disk, and, at the same time, serves as a switch position indicator disposed within the dummy connection diagram and this indication is provided by forming an outline 38 on the face of the control knob, which may be painted or printed on the surface or actually physically cut into the surface thereof. The inner hexagon of sleeve 17 is an opening 19 which is provided with a groove 20 in one planar surface thereof. A spring pin 21 passes through groove 20 at right angles thereto. The inner face of the control knob 8 is provided with a recess 22 for receiving the spring pin 21.

The removable control knob or lever 9 is illustrated in perspective in FIGURE 5, and may be slipped onto the end of the sleeve 17. For this purpose the lever 9 has a projecting hexagonal shaft 23 which engages the inner hexagonal opening 19. A rivet 24 is provided on one surface of hexagonal shaft 23 and when the shaft 23 is inserted into opening 19, rivet 24 slides into the groove 20 and snaps into position behind the pin 21. In this manner, the control lever 9 is always connected with the control knob 8 in proper position with respect thereto and is securely mounted therein when inserted. When desired, this control lever 9 may be removed.

The smaller control knob 8 may be substantially circular and smooth and in any event provides a surface which does not provide a firm gripping surface and as an element does not provide much leverage. Thus, only a minimum amount of torque may be applied via knob 8 to control shaft 11. However, this torque is sulficient to release the energy storage means which opens the switch. For example, the energy storage means may be a spring and latch arrangement wherein the spring is loaded when lever 9 closes the switch, and is unloaded when knob 8 is used to move the latch to release the spring which opens the switch.

Lever 9, on the other hand, provides a positive hand grip and sufficient leverage, so that the switch may be closed.

The torque which is needed to actuate the knob 8 is approximately 0.1 m./kp. and the torque which is needed to actuate the knob 9 is approximately 2 m./kp.

The present invention, as described above, provides many advantages. Since the switch closing lever 9 is removable, unauthorized closing of the switches is not readily possible. However, if 'it is necessary that the switch be opened at any time, this is accomplished by means of the smaller non-removable control knob 8 which is a control disk. This knob provides a clear switch position indication without any special coupling devices and it fits perfectly into the dummy connection diagram which is arranged on the front of the switch box. The depth of the switch box may be very small. Furthermore, the construction of the switch installation according to the present invention is rendered accidentproof since no bulky control knobs project therefrom and inspection thereof is readily facilitated and a pleasing appearance is presented to the front side of the switch box. The switch may be operationally withdrawn as desired. In withdrawing the switch, there is no coupling member between the switch and the door of the switch box which has to be detached, and this is advantageous, since such coupling members under some circumstances may not be readily re-engaged with the switch when the switch is pushed back into position. The correct switch position indication is maintained even when the switch box is opened or the switch withdrawn.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the switch assembly 2 may be provided with rollers 40 mounted on rails 42. Moreover a depending switch portion 44 is internally threaded and a threaded spindle 46 is engaged therein. This spindle is rotated by using lever 9, and access is provided through window or opening 48. When the spindle is rotated the switch assembly 2 is moved axially of this spindle.

It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications,

changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a switch boxinstallation including a housing having a front wall, the improvement comprising:

(a) a switch-gear means movable between an open and a closed position, said switch-gear means being removably disposed in a switch box installation and including means for storing energy to aid in moving said switch-gear means to the open position;

(b) switch control shaft means projecting from one side of said switch-gear means and connected to move said switch-gear means between said positions;

(c) two control knobs on said shaft of different size and shape, the larger of said knobs being removable and the smaller knob being arranged so that only the torque sufficient for actuating said energy storing means to move the switch-gear means to the open position can be exerted by this knob; and

(d) drive spindle means in said installation operatively associated with said switch-gear means to at least partially withdraw the switch-gear means from the installation upon movement thereof, the front wall of said installation defining an access opening, an end of said spindle means being constructed for detachable engagement with said larger knob for operating the spindle means, said spindle means end being disposed within said installation and in alignment with said opening.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,794,873 6/57 Bank ZOO-50 2,800,806 7/57 Sangster 200-172 2,961,501 11/60 Piteo 200-172 FOREIGN PATENTS 363,045 12/31 Great Britain.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. 

